Vietnam opens first honorary consulate in Phuket, Thailand

Vietnam inaugurated its first honorary consulate in Phuket, Thailand, in a ceremony attended by Ambassador Pham Viet Hung, local officials, business leaders and members of the Vietnamese community. The new office, led by appointed Honorary Consul Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, will serve eight southern Thai provinces – Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Ranong, Songkhla and Surat Thani – providing consular protection, services and support for Vietnamese citizens and businesses.

The launch coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Thailand and was followed by a "Vietnam Connecting Phuket 2026" forum where about 60 Vietnamese and Thai companies discussed cooperation. Vietnam Airlines announced a direct Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket route with four weekly flights, and a partnership was signed between the Kajonkiet International School in Phuket and Vietnam’s Nobel School. Officials said the consulate will deepen economic, trade, tourism, cultural and educational ties between the two nations.